Lancisi, Giovanni Maria

(born Oct. 26, 1654, Rome, Papal States—died Jan. 20, 1720, Rome) Italian anatomist and epidemiologist. He related the prevalence of malaria in swampy areas to the presence of mosquitoes and recommended swamp drainage to prevent it. He linked an increase in sudden deaths in Rome to causes such as hemorrhagic stroke, cardiac enlargement and dilation, and growths on heart valves and explored causes of heart enlargement. He also provided the first description of syphilitic aneurysms.

Source: Encyclopedia Britannica